Multicultural English Literature and Language, M.A.

Master of Arts in Multicultural English Literature and Language

The English Graduate Program offers several degree paths for students seeking additional study of literature, language, and writing. Students may pursue a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree in Teaching and Learning, with a specialization in English Language and Literature, combining course work in English and Education; or a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Multicultural English Literature and Language, with additional course work in a more specialized area of English. Consider carefully which path would best suit your goals.

The M.A. in English program maintains a multicultural emphasis and blends studies in a broad array of areas, such as American, British, Chicano/a, and Native American literature, as well as literature by women. The program’s flexibility allows students to design their individual programs to meet their long-term goals and to choose special topics directed toward their thesis. Students can elect to concentrate their studies in multicultural literature, applied linguistics, or writing, or they can build a generalist program from courses that fall into each of these categories.

The M.A. in English program is designed to allow students to earn their degree while continuing to work. All courses are offered both on line and in traditional classrooms on the Toppenish campus. On line courses are available around the clock, and courses taught on the campus are held predominately during the weekends (or occasionally in the evening).

Heritage University’s Master of Arts in English Program is for students teaching or seeking to teach at the college level, as well as for those who wish to prepare for Ph.D. studies in English literature, linguistics, or composition theory. It may also be the program of choice for those who already hold a State of Washington English Language Arts (5-12) certificate and simply desire more knowledge in their subject area or to become eligible to teach at the college level.

Like the M.Ed. in English Education, the M.A. Program can be specifically tailored to include all the course work required to earn the State of Washington English Language Arts (5-12) endorsement (though students must still meet all other State of Washington certification requirements). It may also be adjusted to permit the course work required to enter a particular Ph.D. program.

Admission to Specialized Programs

Upon successful completion of the application process, a student is admitted to the university as a graduate student. Admission to the university is the first step required in order to be admitted to a degree or certification program; however, successful admission to the university does not guarantee that the student will be accepted to a graduate degree or certification program. Students may receive degree or certification application materials
from an admissions counselor or the chair of each specialized program.

Master of Arts in Multicultural English Literature and Language:

• Baccalaureate degree with minimum GPA of 3.0 for the last two years of undergraduate work OR completion of six graduate semester credits with a minimum GPA of 3.0
• Writing sample of at least five pages representative of the student’s previous work
• Short essay (approximately two pages, double-spaced) explaining the student’s goals and reasons for entering the Master of Arts in English Program
• Two letters of recommendation written by professors or others capable of assessing the student’s potential for success in a graduate program

Alternate Assignments for ENG Survey Courses

In the case of graduate students who were undergraduate English majors and already completed multiple survey courses in American, British, or World literature, Heritage offers two alternative pathways:

1) Research and write a publication-quality essay for submission to a jury-reviewed academic journal or for submission to a conference, or

2) Prepare teaching materials for a future secondary or post-secondary course or a unit in a course in the subject area.

 

B.A. and M.A. Program Goals and Objectives

Our primary goal at both levels is to produce graduates qualified (as appropriate) with English/Language Arts Endorsement; and/or credentials to instruct middle school, high school, or college-level courses in writing, language, and literature; and/or preparation to gain admission to graduate programs in English or related fields.  In order to do so, graduates must develop the following knowledge, skills, and dispositions:

1. Understand the history, development, and structure of the English language and know how that theory relates in practice to the teaching and learning of language, both spoken and written. Demonstrate knowledge and application of the following:

1. Phonetics/phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics
2. Sociolinguistics
3. Language acquisition
4. Teaching and learning languages

2. Be aware of contemporary approaches to the composition process and able to demonstrate that knowledge in a variety of genres as well as connecting that knowledge and those skills to the pedagogy of writing. Demonstrate knowledge and application of the following:

1. Composition theories
2. Writing across variety of genres, both academic and non-academic
3. Teaching composition

3. Know and appreciate the diversity of voices in both Anglo-American and global literature as well as being able to apply classical and contemporary critical approaches to illuminate texts for colleagues and students. Demonstrate knowledge and application of the following:

1. History of literature and its historical context, both in the American tradition and globally
2. Diverse literatures in both the American and global traditions
3. Use of Critical Approaches in both scholarship and teaching
4. Teaching literature

4. Demonstrate strong research, writing, and presentation skills through the production of works suitable for presentation and publication as appropriate to the student’s concentration, including the Bachelor’s Thesis or Master’s Thesis. Demonstrate knowledge and application of the following:

1. Library Research skills
2. Field Research skills
3. Presentation skills